Tuesday, March 19, 2024 | Ramadan 8, 1445 H
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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Power of peace has the capacity to multiply

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Lakshmi Kothaneth - lakshmiobserver@gmail.com - Yet another day of the year, but the title is International Day of Non-Violence declared by the United Nations. Violence continues as it has for centuries. But more than ever, there are people trying to be aware of traits of violence, not just in actions but in words as well.


A conversation with Sister Jayanthi from the Rajya Yoga Foundation for Self-Development, who arrived from the United Kingdom to observe the International Day of Non-Violence, gave the deeper meaning of violence. Violence originates from thoughts.


A knife can be used to stab the body, but medically the physical wound can be healed. What about violence in words? Harsh words can cut a heart and it can cause lifelong injury, she explained while being interviewed live (@omanobserver) on Facebook page of Oman Observer.


We can always blame it on our surrounding, but whom can we blame for our thoughts?


The answer is us. Sister Jayanthi says: “We need to ask ourselves questions especially on this day — Are my thoughts non-violent? Are my words non-violent? Or are they based on bitterness? Am I able to keep my thoughts noble and pure?”


Only when we ask these questions ourselves are we truly contributing to the culture of non-violence? That’s why October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who campaigned for non-violence, is the day to check and change on ways.


Almost all of us carry at least one strain of fear or anxiety. But where there is fear, it is difficult for peace to exist. “Fear and peace are infectious. Almost 90 per cent of my fears are unreal. It is in my imagination,” says Sister Jayanthi.


“Peace isn’t something you can seek by going to the seaside, mountains or for shopping. It is something inside me. If I can connect with that, then I am peaceful.”


In the process of going through anxiety or fear, our body goes through changes, resulting in many ailments, whose symptoms which may not be visible immediately.


Many of the diagnoses have been defined as “stress-related”.


We think finding peace is somebody else’s business. On the other hand, we think our objective in life is to find our ambitions and achieve them. But there is more.


Sister Jayanthi says: “If I can maintain inner peace, it begins to reflect on my face, behaviour and words. From personal peace, I create peace within family, community and the country. If there are a number of people in that level who can practise peace, I believe the power of peace can multiply. I believe in that vision because the original state of every human being is peace.”


“We might have the best of resources and facilities, and best of family members and colleagues to work with, but if our thoughts are not peaceful and our heart is not content, we cannot have a life of fulfilment,” she added.


I have often thought about this. Is there anyone completely content with life? Somehow we seemed to be looking at that one next thing that is going to make us content and happy.


And so, days go by and another year comes by for us to observe a day on the calendar.


“Be it and then you can radiate it.” When she said that, it rang a bell. How often do we jump to our surroundings? A honk from a car behind us while waiting at the traffic signal makes us leap forward or skip a heartbeat. Yet, there are people who can maintain peace even during the worst of situations. So next time, remember: Be the peace and radiate it.


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